Does Ellie Kiss Riley? Unpacking A Pivotal Moment In The Last Of Us

For fans of "The Last of Us," a question that often comes up, and quite understandably, is whether Ellie shares a kiss with Riley. This particular moment, you know, it's a really big deal for many who have followed their story, whether through the video game or the recent HBO series. It’s a point of deep emotional connection, and, well, it sparks a lot of conversation, too.

The relationship between Ellie and Riley, you see, is pretty central to Ellie's early experiences and, arguably, her entire journey. It's a bond that begins with friendship but, as many viewers and players have seen, it grows into something much more profound. So, people are really keen to understand the details of this specific interaction, and what it means for these characters.

This article will explore that very question, drawing directly from the events as they unfolded in the game's expansion, "Left Behind," and how they were brought to life in the television adaptation. We'll look at the context, the impact, and why this kiss is, in a way, such an important part of "The Last of Us" narrative.

Table of Contents

The Heart of the Matter: Did Ellie and Riley Kiss?

So, to answer the main question directly: yes, Ellie does kiss Riley. This moment is, actually, a very clear and established part of their story. It happens during a particular sequence at a mall, a place that, in a world like theirs, offers a brief escape from the constant dangers. This interaction, you know, it really solidifies the deep feelings they have for each other.

In the Video Game: A Moment of Connection

In the video game "The Last of Us," specifically in the "Left Behind" expansion, this kiss is a very important scene. Players get to control both characters, and their bond, you know, it just develops throughout the gameplay. The game makes it quite clear that Ellie and Riley were, in fact, in love. This was, as a matter of fact, established very clearly when Ellie kissed Riley while they were at the mall. Riley's response, telling Ellie she shouldn't be sorry for kissing her, really drives home the mutual feeling.

The two characters, they started out as best friends, having only each other in a pretty rough world. But then, as the story unfolds, they entered into a relationship. The kiss itself is a pivotal point, showing the shift from just friendship to something more romantic. It's a moment that, arguably, explores themes of love and connection in a world where such things are often hard to find. The kiss is, you know, at minute 3:26 in the video game sequence, making it easy for players to pinpoint this significant interaction.

In the HBO Series: A Faithful Adaptation (and its Challenges)

The HBO show, which many people have watched, also depicted this significant event. In episode 7 of the first season, viewers got a glimpse into Ellie's past, and the truly sad circumstances that led to her getting bitten. This episode, you know, it really showed Ellie falling in love with her best friend, Riley. The actors, Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, and Storm Reid, who plays Riley, have both spoken positively about the LGBTQ+ representation in the show, and this kiss is a big part of that.

Timothy Good, an editor for "The Last of Us" show, has even talked about Ellie's kiss with Riley and other heartbreaking LGBTQ+ details that some viewers might have missed in episodes 3 and 7. This really shows how much thought went into portraying their bond. However, there was, unfortunately, a bit of a situation with some streaming services. For instance, the streaming service OSN+ actually censored their kiss. Viewers on Twitter, you know, they noticed this, and some even shared videos comparing the cut kiss directly to the original version. This highlights how important this moment is to the story and to the fans, too.

More Than Just a Kiss: Why This Moment Matters

The kiss between Ellie and Riley is, quite frankly, far more than just a simple peck. It's a very loaded moment that carries a lot of emotional weight and narrative importance for both characters. It speaks volumes about their connection and what they mean to each other, especially given the challenging world they inhabit.

A Deepening Bond and First Love

Riley, in the video game, is a very important presence in Ellie’s life. She meets Ellie in Boston’s quarantine zone, and they quickly become best friends, as a matter of fact. Their bond is built on shared experiences and mutual reliance in a world that offers little comfort. The kiss, you know, it marks a turning point, signaling the transition from a very close friendship to something truly romantic. It’s, essentially, Ellie's first kiss, and her first experience with romantic love.

Ellie, actually, pleaded with Riley not to go, showing how much she wanted Riley to stay close. This moment at the mall, where the kiss takes place, is a rare glimpse of normalcy and joy for them. It’s a space where they can, for a little while, forget the dangers outside and just be two young people discovering feelings for each other. This really emphasizes the depth of their connection, and, you know, it's quite moving.

Representation That Resonates

The portrayal of Ellie and Riley’s relationship, including the kiss, has been widely praised for its LGBTQ+ representation. In a major video game and a popular television show, seeing such a clear and tender depiction of a same-sex relationship, you know, it means a lot to many people. It helps to show that love, in all its forms, exists even in the most difficult circumstances.

The fact that Ellie's sexuality is never explicitly stated in the games, but she exclusively has romantic relationships with women, actually, reinforces this. It's just a part of who she is, presented naturally within the story. This kind of representation, you know, it can be very powerful for viewers and players who might see themselves reflected in these characters. It's a good thing, really, to have stories that show a wider range of human experiences.

The Tragic Aftermath

The beauty of their connection, however, is set against a very sad backdrop. The two started out as best friends who only had each other, but soon entered into a relationship before Riley got infected and, ultimately, died. This tragic outcome adds a layer of sorrow to their story, making the moments of joy and connection, like the kiss, even more poignant.

Riley’s reunion with Ellie, after abandoning her without a word, actually gets off to a bit of a rough start. Riley sneaks into Ellie’s room and puts her hand over the sleeping Ellie’s mouth, which is a rather startling way to begin. Ellie initially refuses to go with Riley, but she quickly relents, just like Riley, you know, predicted she would. This whole sequence, including the kiss and the events that follow, leads directly to Ellie getting bitten, which is a key part of her personal history.

Understanding Ellie's Journey and Relationships

Ellie's character, as many fans know, is pretty complex, and her relationships are a big part of what makes her who she is. The bond she shares with Riley, in particular, lays a lot of the groundwork for her emotional development and, you know, her understanding of connection in a world that often seems devoid of it.

Ellie's Sexuality: A Clear Path

When it comes to Ellie's sexuality, the games, actually, never explicitly state it, but her romantic relationships are consistently with women. This is a pretty clear indication of her preferences. In episode 7 of season 1 of the show, viewers saw a flashback story of Ellie and her best friend, Riley, who was also her first kiss. This was, in a way, a very important moment for many.

The question, "Does Ellie have lesbian relationships in 'The Last of Us' TV show so far?" can be answered with a resounding yes, based on this episode. The narrative doesn't, you know, make a big fuss about it; it's just a natural part of her character and her story. This approach, you know, it helps to normalize diverse relationships in popular media, which is, honestly, a good thing.

The Impact of Riley's Presence

Riley is an important presence in Ellie’s life in the video game "The Last of Us." She meets Ellie in Boston’s quarantine zone, and they quickly become best friends. This friendship, which turns into love, shapes Ellie in profound ways. The loss of Riley, as a matter of fact, is a foundational trauma for Ellie, influencing her actions and her emotional state throughout the rest of her story.

The physical extent of their relationship was, arguably, one kiss, given the world they live in. This single kiss, however, carries the weight of a much longer and deeper connection. It's a powerful symbol of first love and loss, and it sets the stage for Ellie's later relationships and her struggle with grief and connection. All scenes of Ellie and Riley in "The Last of Us Part 1 Left Behind (Remake)" really highlight this. You can learn more about The Last of Us characters on our site, and find details about the show's development here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did Ellie and Riley love each other?

Yes, the story clearly establishes that Ellie and Riley were in love. This was made very clear when Ellie kissed Riley at the mall, and Riley's reaction, telling Ellie not to be sorry for it, confirmed the mutual feelings. Their bond went beyond just friendship, developing into a romantic connection before tragedy struck.

What episode does Ellie kiss Riley?

In the HBO series, Ellie kisses Riley in episode 7 of season 1. This episode is titled "Left Behind," and it adapts the story from the video game expansion of the same name. The kiss happens during a flashback sequence that explores Ellie's past and the events leading up to her getting bitten.

Why was the Ellie and Riley kiss censored?

The kiss between Ellie and Riley was, unfortunately, censored by some streaming services, like OSN+. Viewers on platforms like Twitter noticed this cut and shared comparisons of the censored version versus the original. The exact reasons for such censorship can vary by region or platform policy, but it often relates to cultural or content guidelines in specific markets.

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